It's not all that Crazy a notion. I'm not going to break any land speed records. Rather, I'll be raising allot of funds for a great cause. I've been dreaming about running a marathon since the 10k runs I did as a thirteen year old. Those days are long-long ago, but my better half Lizzy has got me thinking about this dream again.

The American Stroke Association - Train To End Stroke - has spurred Lizzy into action. It is a program that strives to bring more awareness to the major Stroke problem in the USA. Stoke has affected both of Lizzy's parents. Her dad had a massive stroke when he was 55 years old. It left him paralyzed on his right side & he lost his speech. Which never regained. Lizzy's mom had a stroke last October. Although it was mild, it did have its repercussions. This ASA program just seemed like it was the thing to get her running (ok, maybe walk run walk running). I've decided to join her as Stroke has hit my family and friend's families as well.

The idea is to bring more awareness to us all about Stroke. Until a week ago, I was not aware of these stroke statistics:

every 45 seconds someone suffers a stroke

every 3.1 minutes someone dies of stroke

there are 4.4 million stroke survivors

29% of people who have strokes are under the age of 65

<<<<<<<<THE TIKI PART>>>>>>>>

Although Lizzy and I signed up for the Phoenix Ĺ Marathon, our goal is to walk/run the full one in Hawaii!! the Honolulu Marathon!! (Dec. 11, 2005). I will be training for hundreds of miles over the next five months! Not only training but also I'll be raising over $4000 for the ASA... Yah!!! or is it Yikes! This is the target for a Hawaiian race. But like a marathon allot of little steps get you to the finish line.

I am writing to ask you for your support in this huge effort. Through your generous contribution to the American Stroke Association I am hoping to hit the target set.

I hope to get a special commemorative tiki gift made for those contributors that have been very generous to the cause. But right now I'm stuffing envelopes and gearing up etc...

Some of you will be getting a letter this week with a self addressed stamped envelope. Thanks for taking the time to send a donation back to me. For those of you not receiving letters, you can contribute online and check out my progress!!

Once again, I will be running in this marathon in hopes to bring awareness to stroke. Because let me tell you, it not only affects the victim, it affects the whole family. If you have a friend or loved one who has been affected by stroke, I would be honored to complete this event in their name as well. Please include the personís name on the response form.

I am really excited about reaching this goal! I look forward to running, walking...(crawling?) on behalf of any one who canít do so due to having a stroke. Many stroke survivors have trained and ran....

I may not want to walk in their shoes....But I can run in mine with them!!

Good for you, Al. What a great cause. Although my family has been fortunate enough to elude strokes, a co-worker of mine has been plagued with them for almost 13 years. He now has several large areas of his brain that have been irreversibly damaged. His vision is blurred and he can no longer be in any sort of light without sunglasses. He has problems recognizing people he's known for years and he gets easily confused. He doesn't have problems speaking or moving (thank God), but his metal capacity has been forever diminished. This is a man that I've known ever since I was kid. I can only imagine how much it would effect me if he was a part of my family.

I wholeheartedly support your efforts. I know you had my address at one point. If you can't find it shoot me an email.

Right on!!! i heard Ben has stopped smoking for the 50th time!! He's now started a tiki carving work out routine!! He plays the APE CD while swinging an ax on a treadmill!!!

exercising while he makes money!!! I love this guy...

Seriously folks this is not a search for a cure.... for the vast majority of us we already have the cure.... diet and exercise... thats what this is about...

hear is another lovely story that was sent to me... could this happen to you?
"my grandfather suffered several strokes, and ultimately committed suicide as a result. I also work as a speech therapist and have treated many stroke patients with varying degrees of impairment. Thanks for supporting this GREAT cause!"

(I think I heard that this one is going to be auctioned off for the charity of the Stroke. Score! My Grandfather Eli (not Ely ) died from several Sun Strokes ( as they called them back then). Great cause.

It will be a Great TIKI to bid on because more than his heart is going into it. 26 miles!!! Not including the training!!!!!! Arrrrr!!!!

p.s. Hey C'Al. I have another bed to deliver. Wanna help?? Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Thought I'd donate a couple of things to raise some dough for C'Al's Running wit da Tiki Marathon for the Stroke Society. All proceeds go direct to C'Al's gig. Best offer wins. No reserve.

Here we go.

This Hand (re-designed) Painted over silk screen, Hand Signed to the winner, Long Sleeve cotton t-shirt size xxl, but shrunk down to a xl and used for maybe the last 3-4 years, but always washed and worn during several TIKI BAR installations, by Bamboo Ben for good Karma, very SHAG type e-bay shirt, seen in many TC photos, blah blah blah, Arrrrrrrrr!

Post your bids on this post.

p.s. I'll even throw in a pair of shorts too!!

Front..............

Back...............

p.s. Many years of TIKI KARMA ( blood, sweat and tears, trust me!) on this shirt and shorts (size 34). Do the right thing and bid away!!! It's for a great cause!!! Ely Hedley ( according to Sven and James T. ) aka Eli my Grand Father, the Original Beachcomber, died from 7 strokes. This is a great thing the C'Al's are doing. Go!
Go People Go!